Touch Calculation

[Perry Snow]

I looked through the Core Rulebook, and I can't find the calculation for Melee Touch or Ranged Touch. I found the calculation for Melee Attack and Ranged Attack, but it is not clear if Touch falls under those, especially if it is a magic spell.

I am trying to determine what the Ranged Touch calculation would be for, say, a wizard trying to cast a Ranged Touch spell. Would the wizard use Intelligence or Dexterity? If it was simply a Melee Touch spell, would the wizard need Strength? I'm getting confused...

-Perry

[Zurai]

Melee touch attacks are melee attacks. Ranged touch attacks are ranged attacks. Melee attacks are BAB + Strength + other bonuses; ranged attacks are BAB + Dexterity + other bonuses.

[AlanM]

Zurai wrote:

Melee touch attacks are melee attacks. Ranged touch attacks are ranged attacks. Melee attacks are BAB + Strength + other bonuses; ranged attacks are BAB + Dexterity + other bonuses.

or +DEX instead of +STR for melee touch if you have weapon finesse

[Perry Snow]

Zurai wrote:

Melee touch attacks are melee attacks. Ranged touch attacks are ranged attacks. Melee attacks are BAB + Strength + other bonuses; ranged attacks are BAB + Dexterity + other bonuses.

So if a player knows that ranged touch attacks will be the primary mode of offense for the character, the player should invest in Dexterity. If the player wants a shot at using melee touch attacks, the character will need to invest in Strength. Spell DCs still depend primarily on the spell casters chief attribute (Int for Wiz, Wis for Clerics, etc.). So, there are different builds to keep in mind when creating a spell caster and the spell selection: Melee Touch (Str), Ranged Touch (Dex), and Spell DCs (Chief Attribute).

-Perry

[Zurai]

Yep, although you really don't have to invest too heavily in stats to be able to hit with touch attacks. Ignoring Armor, Shield, and Natural Armor bonuses to AC cuts a massive chunk off most critters' defense. Most things, even at very high levels, have touch ACs under 20.

[Urizen]

Zurai wrote:

Yep, although you really don't have to invest too heavily in stats to be able to hit with touch attacks. Ignoring Armor, Shield, and Natural Armor bonuses to AC cuts a massive chunk off most critters' defense. Most things, even at very high levels, have touch ACs under 20.

That's when those high level mooks start catching you off guard with those sneaky DRs and SRs when you think you got 'em dead to rights with that spell you relied on to wipe out the jr mooks. ;)